RELI 025
M/W/F 9:30-10:50 am
Weber 107
This course offers a socio-historical and literary introduction to the writings of the earliest Christians. The course will emphasize the importance of the historical context of these writings and will investigate the ways these texts fit into ancient Mediterranean cultures. Topics include but are not limited to: the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth; early Jewish and Christian relations; the structure and rituals of early Christian communities; the roles of women and slaves in the earliest churches; the spread of Christianity throughout the Empire; the historical significance of the apostle Paul for the development of Christian beliefs. We will also explore the concepts of apocalypticism, the resurrection, and the Christian canon as they are configured in earliest Christian literature. Throughout, the Christian canon will be read alongside the writings of pagans and Jews of the same time period as well as extra-canonical early Christian literature. Although we will study the theological concerns of first and second century Christians, this course will not address contemporary issues of theology and Christian faith.
Course Objectives
- A survey of the contents of the New Testament, including the authors and reading communities of the NT texts
- A limited introduction to the historical, religious, and social context of the early Roman Empire
- An overview of early Christian communities' relationships with Jews, pagans, and other Christians
- The development of critical reading skills for primary sources from antiquity and secondary sources
- The advancement of critical writing skills
- An introduction to the study of religion from an historical perspective
- An introduction to various methods of scholarly biblical interpretation, and learn how to evaluate these interpretations critically